Warranty

The QX30 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Q5’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX30 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 14th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 1 place higher in reliability than Audi.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the QX30 gets better fuel mileage than the Q5:

MPG

QX30

FWD

2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

24 city/33 hwy

AWD

2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

21 city/30 hwy

Q5

AWD

2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

23 city/27 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the QX30’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Q5 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Brakes and Stopping

The QX30 stops much shorter than the Q5:

QX30

Q5

60 to 0 MPH

106 feet

136 feet

Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The QX30’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5’s standard 60 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the QX30 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The QX30 Essential AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Q5 Premium Plus pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The Infiniti QX30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 750 pounds less than the Audi Q5.

The QX30 is 9.4 inches shorter than the Q5, making the QX30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The QX30 is 7.3 inches shorter in height than the Q5, making the QX30 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 5% lower rating, Audi is ranked third.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Q5, the QX30 Luxe/Sport/Essential has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The QX30 Luxe/Sport/Essential’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the QX30 Sport/Essential has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Q5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The QX30 (except Pure/Luxe)’s optional Intelligent Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Q5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The QX30 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

The QX30 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the QX30 will retain 53.6% to 54.72% of its original price after five years, while the Q5 only retains 52.7% to 53.4%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX30 is less expensive to operate than the Q5 because it costs $252 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the QX30 than the Q5, including $207 less for a muffler, $86 less for front brake pads, $295 less for a starter, $87 less for fuel injection, $129 less for a fuel pump and $133 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Infiniti QX30 will be $8700 to $9143 less than for the Audi Q5.